Steve writes – “Justin Welby and the Duracell Bunny”

I’ve been to (and sometimes managed to avoid) some pretty dire Lent courses in my time. You probably know the kind of thing- when your commitment to ecumenism is tested to the limit by content and questions which are theologically obscure and spiritually dry.

But this year I want to encourage as many of us as possible to come along to the Churches Together in Faringdon Lent Course. Entitled ‘Faith Pictures – a fresh way to talk about things that matter’; it’s a course I was planning to ask us all to do anyway, but it will work equally well for us to do it with friends from the other churches, as long as we all do come along.

Most of us find it hard to know what to say to friends or family about our faith -or at least how to say something in a way that doesn’t seem forced, awkward or preachy. That leads to a constant danger that we can begin to resemble Canadian rivers in winter when it comes to faith-talk (frozen at the mouth). We can also convince ourselves that no-one amongst our friendship circle or family is interested in hearing about Jesus anyway.

But a recent survey entitled ‘Talking Jesus’ tells us otherwise – at least one in five of our friends are very ready to have a conversation with us about Jesus, and it’s often the case that if we pray for opportunities, God provides us with encounters in which friends raise questions about faith. The Lent course has been designed to appeal particularly to people who would normally run a mile from courses on faith-sharing. It has a special focus on helping a wide variety of folk to talk naturally about their faith.

The course starts in the week beginning 27th February and is available in groups meeting on various evenings in the week (as well as an afternoon group). Just ring one of the hosts’ numbers shown on the list in this magazine or available at Church and book your place at their home. If the groups fill up, we’ll make sure extra venues are available.

I was impressed when I attended Church Army’s launch of this course during General Synod, when Justin Welby spoke of his support for it. And his connection with the Duracell bunny? – all will be revealed on the course, so please do come along and enjoy it.